Police investigating a report of sexual assault in South Tyneside are appealing to locate a possible witness.

Officers were alerted to the incident which is alleged to have happened in the early hours of Saturday, May 18.

A 32-year-old woman had been socialising in Newcastle city centre and was accompanied in a taxi home to South Shields by a white male, in his 50s.

It is then alleged that she was sexually assaulted in an address after leaving the taxi.

An investigation is ongoing into the incident, and police are now eager to trace a taxi driver who gave the pair a lift on the night in question.

The taxi driver picked up the two individuals near the Centre for Life, in Newcastle, and drove them to the Simonside estate in South Shields at some point between 11.55pm on Friday (May 17) and 1am on Saturday (May 18).

It is understood that the female fell or was pushed from the taxi on arrival at the address in South Shields and fell into the road.

Officers believe the taxi driver could have valuable information and possible CCTV footage of the journey inside the cab that could assist officers with their enquiries.

Anyone who has information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 851 200519 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Alternatively, you can email  south.intell.unit@northumbria.pnn.police.uk  quoting the reference number above or pass on information via our website at  www.northumbria.police.uk .